Oh god... Their message made me tear up! :'( I love how they were all having fun and laughing at the beginning of the chapter and then crying by the end. That change just captures so well what it's like to lose someone you love. You do have those moments where you get to laughing at funny stories and whatnot, but then there are those moments of despair, when you realize they're gone. Gone without goodbye... I love it. Great chapter!

Author's Response: As I told someone else who commented below, I "borrowed" the message from Brian's solo CD. I thought that it captured the moment perfectly. I had to interject some fun into the beginning of this chapter ... things had been too sad for too long. I'm glad that you thought it was realistic.

WHOA!!! You totally got me; with both of their reactions in the last chapter, I thought it had to be Nick. I'm happy to find out I was wrong! Now I'm wondering who it is and why he looked like Nick, even down to the tattoos. What kind of conspiracy is this?! I love it!! I also loved the conversation between Brian and AJ. I've told you before how much I like the two of them paired up, and they play off each other nicely in this story. I like that you gave Brian an edge, but thank you for not having him light up that cigarette, even though he was considering it LOL. I was like, "Don't do it, Brian!" The drinking thing is interesting, though. I don't see him taking it to that extreme in real life, but I could definitely see him feeling trapped in his little bubble life with Leighanne. It's so funny that you described it that way, as a "bubble of isolation," because I literally just referred to Brian living in "his own little bubble back in Atlanta" in the chapter I was writing before I read this. Great minds think alike! I love what he said about reconnecting with Nick. It does seem like they've gotten closer again in real life. I'm glad Nick is (presumably) not really dead so there's still a chance of them continuing their friendship in this story. I can't wait to see where this is going next!!! I'm sure you can tell from this long review that I really loved this chapter!

Author's Response: I think this review is almost the length of the chapter ... LOL! I'm so happy that I had you fooled. It's nice to know that the ending of the chapter was a surprise for most people. I couldn't actually bring myself to make Brian light the cigarette. It seemed too out of character for him, but I figured that him thinking about another coping mechanism wasn't too much of a stretch. I don't know if I could see Brian taking his drinking to the extreme that I mentioned, but I can definitely see him getting blasted (for fun) every once in a while. It's interesting that we both described Brian as "living in a bubble". I actually find it kind of sad that we see him that way; as isolated from everyone else. However, I agree that him and Nick do seem to be getting closer again in real life (that warms my heart like you would not believe!!). It seems as though my response has become almost as long as your review ... I better stop myself. :)

I'm back! Finally all moved in, done with classes, and ready to catch up on some fanfic! I have a lot of reading to do, but I'm looking forward to it! I had to find where I'd left off. I like how you explained Nick's lack of communication through the guys' questions and his answers. It seems a little bit too convenient, but still plausible that he could be that out of the loop. Now I'm wondering about this so-called stalker guy who went out of his way to look just like Nick. Creepy. Was he a harmless weirdo who got himself , or is there more to the story than that? I'm thinking there's more. Looking forward to finding out! The beauty of falling so far behind is that I don't have to wait for chapters for awhile! :)

Author's Response: Yay! I'm glad that you're back! I actually had to go back and look at this chapter before I could respond to your review. It's amazing how quickly I forget what happened in what chapter of my own story! LOL Yes, the fact that Nick was so cut off from the rest of the world was quite convenient, but I needed a way for him to come back and Nick isn't exactly the most observant person in the world so I thought that it could be plausible. Tee Hee

Ooh, I'm liking this latest twist. While it's not exactly a new storyline, it's been awhile since I've read one of these stories, and I love the idea of the boys having to "disappear" into Witness Protection or whatever it would be considered in this case. Good way to keep them together and cut out their families LOL. Can't wait to see where this goes next!

Author's Response: It's definitely not a new story line, but I'm glad that you're interested anyways. At first, I thought about keeping their families involved, but then I decided that it would be too much work. Haha! Speaking of stories with an original story line, when are you going to update Sick as My Secrets?!?! (No pressure or anything ... LOL)

OMG! This whole chapter I was wondering if this was for real or if it was really Joey or Tony coming to check on them or one of the other guys out of bed. I'm still not sure, but it's seeming real, so you've got my attention! Gotta read on! Great job setting up the suspense and making me wonder! I literally gasped when AJ was grabbed; I could picture it all happening like a movie!

Author's Response: I'm glad that I was able to keep you guessing. That was kinda my intention. ;) Psyched that you're reading on to find out what happens.

I'm kinda glad the news that it wasn't Nick who was killed made it into the media, if only so that Lauren will know he's not dead. I felt so bad for her! That was so funny when Brian said "It was my wife, wasn't it?" about the Twitter thing because my first thought was Leighanne too LOL. I wonder when whoever's messing with them is going to up the ante, especially now that he/she knows it wasn't Nick.

Author's Response: I also feel badly for Lauren at this point. Although, I'm sure she's relieved that Nick is alive, but now she must be wondering where the hell he is. I think everyone's mind wandered to Leighanne at the Twitter comment - she does use the site more than any of the other wives, so it's a logical assumption.

AHHHH, creepy!!!!! I was just going to tell you what a cute chapter this was, until I got to the end! Love it!!! Someone is definitely messing with them. Who could it be? I loved the two women gossiping about Brian and Nick, as well as Kevin and Howie's conversation. I'm glad Howie opened up to Kevin about how he's been feeling and that Kevin reassured him that they, at least, are a team. Team Howie/Kevin! Can't wait to see what happens next!

Author's Response: In my mind, Kevin and Howie have always kind of been a team. It's all cliche, but they're the oldest so they should just naturally gravitate towards each other. (In my mind anyways). Sorry for ruining the cuteness with the creepiness at the end.

Oh man, I knew as soon as you started describing that woman that she was going to be trouble. I was surprised Joey was in on it, though it explains how they were able to find the guys so easily. I wonder if Tony's in on it too.

Author's Response: Really? But I tried to make her sound so sweet! ROTFL!